The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class James F. McKee (MCSN: 904254), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Member of Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Kunishi Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 14 June 1945. Realizing the seriousness of the situation when a white phosphorous grenade fell among a group of wounded men, Private First Class McKee unhesitatingly picked up the hostile missile and attempted to throw it clear of the group. When the grenade exploded, he took the full force of the blast and, although severely burned himself, protected his comrades from further injury. His courageous and unselfish conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.